The following rankings are based on responses to NREI's Top Lender questionnaire, and reflect total dollars financed or arranged in commercial real estate during the 2000 calendar year.

The listings are presented in two parts. The first listing includes firms financing direct loans, credit lines, CMBS lending and other forms of more direct investment to the industry.

The second listing ranks financial intermediaries, including mortgage brokers and financial firms that arranged or facilitated transactions during 2000. Definitions of direct lender vs. financial intermediary were provided to each respondent. Please note that some lending institutions chose not to participate in this year's survey for a variety of reasons.